Praying Psalm 34

"The Lord Delivers"

What is the title of Psalm 34? Of David, when he changed his behavior before Abimelech, so that he drove him out, and he went away.  (1 Samuel 21:13)

Read Psalm 34:1-3

I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth.
² My soul makes its boast in the Lord; let the humble hear and be glad.
³ Oh, magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together!

What does the Psalmist encourage?

Bless, boast, praise, exalt US TOGETHER (v.3)

Read Psalm 34:4-7

⁴ I sought the Lord, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears.
⁵ Those who look to him are radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed.
⁶ This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him and saved him out of all his troubles.
⁷ The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them.

Why praise?

(Its Personal) Answered, delivered ME

POOR MAN cried – YHWH heard

David is this poor man.

 Read 34:8-10

⁸ Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!
⁹ Oh, fear the Lord, you his holy ones, for those who fear him have no lack!
¹⁰ The young lions suffer want and hunger; but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.

 What good things come from this relationship?

Refuge, no lack, lack no good thing (Sounds like psalm 23!)

Read 34:11-14

¹¹ Come, O children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord.
¹² What man is there who desires life and loves many days, that he may see good?
¹³ Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceit.
¹⁴ Turn away from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.

What does David teach?
FEAR: all men desire long life & to do good….
Wisdom – tongue from evil, turn away, seek peace… (Proverbs stuff)

Read 34:15-18

¹⁵ The eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous and his ears toward their cry.
¹⁶ The face of the Lord is against those who do evil, to cut off the memory of them from the earth.
¹⁷ When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles.
¹⁸ The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.

 What “side” is the LORD on?

Righteous –Those who CRY, he delivers, broken hearted, crushed

 Read 34:19-22

¹⁹ Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all.
²⁰ He keeps all his bones; not one of them is broken.
²¹ Affliction will slay the wicked, and those who hate the righteous will be condemned.
²² The Lord redeems the life of his servants; none of those who take refuge in him will be condemned.

 What is the reality of “affliction” for the righteous AND the wicked?

It happens to BOTH: the difference is the outcome.
Wicked are crushed
Righteous are delivered

 WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR ME?

What is the purpose of this Psalm/prayer?
Praise
Describe Personal account – trust
Teach fear of the Lord
Describe affliction/deliverance

How can we pray this?

Praise

See/acknowlegde Personal trust in our God - Hope
Learn fear of the Lord - Deliver me!
See/acknowlegde affliction/deliverance in our own lives. - Endure

How does Christ fulfill this psalm?

He is the picture of affliction = we also see salvation from God.
We hope for what Christ has won, eternal life.

WE PRAY:  

Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

What does this mean? The good and gracious will of God is done indeed without our prayer; but we pray in this petition that it may be done among us also.

How is this done? When God breaks and hinders every evil counsel and will which would not let us hallow the name of God nor let His kingdom come, such as the will of the devil, the world, and our flesh; but strengthens and keeps us steadfast in His Word and in faith unto our end. This is His gracious and good will.